Semiconductor constructions and assemblies, and electronic systems

ABSTRACT

The invention includes semiconductor assemblies having two or more dies. An exemplary assembly has circuitry associated with a first die front side electrically connected to circuitry associated with a second die front side. The front side of the second die is adjacent a back side of the first die, and a through wafer interconnect extends through the first die. The through wafer interconnect includes a conductive liner within a via extending through the first die. The conductive liner narrows the via, and the narrowed via is filled with insulative material. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor assemblies having two or more dies; and includes electronic systems containing assemblies with two or more dies.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to semiconductor constructions and assemblies,electronic systems, and to methods of forming semiconductorconstructions and assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Semiconductor manufacturers have developed assemblies (also referred toherein as packages), which contain multiple semiconductor dies. Forexample, systems in a package (SIP) applications can include multipledies having different configurations, such as a memory configuration, aprocessing configuration, or an application-specific configuration. Themultiple dies can provide increased integration, security andperformance in a single package relative to single-die packages.

One aspect of the various multi-die assemblies is that they typicallyhave a relatively large peripheral outline and thickness. For example,conventional SIPs have two or more dies spread out on a commonsubstrate. These assemblies typically have a much larger footprint thanconventional single-die semiconductor packages. It would be desirable todevelop packages containing multiple dies, and yet efficiently utilizingspace. It would also be desirable for such packages to have robustelectrical connection between the various dies retained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below withreference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a semiconductor wafer construction at apreliminary processing stage of an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional side view of a fragment of thewafer construction of FIG. 1 along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1. The scale ofFIG. 2 is different than that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processingsubsequent to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a semiconductor wafer construction comprisingthe fragment of FIG. 8 along the line 8-8. The scale of FIG. 9 is thesame as that of FIG. 1, and different than that of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 10. The fragment of FIG. 11 is shown invertedrelative to FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 11 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 11 shown in an assembly, andat a processing stage subsequent to that of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a semiconductor wafer construction containingthe assembly of FIG. 13. The scale of FIG. 14 is the same as that ofFIG. 1, and different than that of FIG. 13. The wafer of FIG. 14 isshown inverted relative to the wafer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a view of the assembly of FIG. 13 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a view of the assembly of FIG. 13 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 15. The assembly of FIG. 16 is shown invertedrelative to that of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a view of the assembly of FIG. 13 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 16. The assembly of FIG. 17 is shown invertedrelative to that of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 2 shown at a processing stagesubsequent to that of FIG. 6 in accordance with an aspect of theinvention alternative to that of FIG. 7.

FIG. 19 is a view of the fragment of FIG. 18 shown at a processing stageanalogous to that of FIG. 11, and shown inverted relative to the view ofFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a view of an assembly comprising the fragment of FIG. 18, andformed in accordance with processing analogous to that of FIGS. 1-17.

FIG. 21 is a view of an assembly comprising multiple semiconductor dies,and illustrating another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a view of an assembly comprising multiple semiconductor dies,and illustrating yet another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view of a computer system incorporatingcomponents constructed in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view of a camcorder system incorporatingcomponents constructed in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic view of a camera system incorporatingcomponents constructed in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic view of a cellular phone system incorporatingcomponents constructed in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic view of a medical device system incorporatingcomponents constructed in accordance with aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of theconstitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progressof science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The invention includes aspects in which through wafer interconnects areformed as conductive liners within through wafer vias. In some aspects,dam and fill encapsulation methodology can be utilized to fill the linedvias. The present invention can produce efficient stacked-die assembliescontaining two or more stacked dies. In particular aspects, a vacuumfill process can be utilized to assist in filling the vias withencapsulant. The conductive liners can comprise any suitableelectrically conductive compositions or combination of compositions, andcan, for example, comprise copper.

Exemplary aspects of the invention are described with reference to FIGS.1-27.

Referring to FIG. 1, a semiconductor wafer construction 10 isillustrated at a preliminary processing stage. The wafer construction issubdivided into a plurality of die regions 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,26 and 28; which are separated from one another, and bounded, by streets40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54. Each of the die regions wouldtypically be processed identically to form a plurality of identical die.The die regions can be referred to as primary die regions to distinguishthem from other die regions that may be subsequently assembled to theprimary die regions, and the dies formed from the primary die regionscan be referred to as primary dies to distinguish them from other diesthat may be subsequently assembled to the primary dies.

Each of the individual die regions has an inner region 60 (only some ofwhich are labeled) defined as a relatively centrally located region; andan outer region 62 (only some of which are labeled) defined as a regionperipheral to the inner region 60 (specifically, laterally outward ofthe inner region). Inner lead bond locations 71 are within the innerregions, outer lead bond locations 73 are within the outer regions, andredistribution layers 75 extend from the inner lead bond locations tothe outer lead bond locations. The redistribution layers are shown inphantom view to indicate that the redistribution layers would be beneathother materials at the processing stage of FIG. 1.

The inner lead bonds extend to circuitry associated with thesemiconductor die, and are frequently so tightly packed that it isdifficult to electrical connect the inner lead bonds to circuitryexternal of the semiconductor die. The redistribution layers enable theinner lead bonds to be electrically coupled to the less tightly packedouter lead bonds, which can be more readily electrically connected toexternal circuitry. Although the “inner lead bond” locations are shownto be peripherally inward of the “outer lead bond” locations in theaspect of FIG. 1, it is to be understood that there are also aspects inwhich at least some bonds analogous to the “inner lead bonds” areactually outboard of (in other words, peripherally outward of) at leastsome bonds analogous to the “outer lead bonds”.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a cross-section is shown through primary dieregion 20, and through portions of adjacent primary die regions 18 and22; with FIG. 2 being shown at an expanded scale relative to FIG. 1. Thewafer construction 10 of FIG. 2 has a front side 80 and an opposing backside 82. The front side and back side both extend across the primary dieregions.

The wafer construction comprises a base semiconductor material 100. Suchbase semiconductor material can comprise, consist essentially of, orconsist of silicon, and in some aspects can comprise, consistessentially of, or consist of monocrystalline silicon. Typically, thebase semiconductor material will correspond to a semiconductor wafer,such as, for example, a monocrystalline silicon wafer.

The base semiconductor material of wafer construction 10 can be referredto as a first base material to distinguish the material fromsemiconductor material of other dies (discussed below) incorporated intoassemblies with primary dies of wafer 10. In some aspects, the basesemiconductor material can be referred to as a semiconductor substrate.To aid in interpretation of the claims that follow, the terms“semiconductive substrate” and “semiconductor substrate” are defined tomean any construction comprising semiconductive material, including, butnot limited to, bulk semiconductive materials such as a semiconductivewafer (either alone or in assemblies comprising other materialsthereon), and semiconductive material layers (either alone or inassemblies comprising other materials). The term “substrate” refers toany supporting structure, including, but not limited to, thesemiconductive substrates described above.

A region 102 is shown at the front side of the base semiconductormaterial. The region 102 can comprise integrated circuitry (not shown),and such circuitry can be considered to be associated with the frontside of a semiconductor wafer corresponding to base material 100. As isknown to persons of ordinary skill in the art, the integrated circuitrycan be present as multiple patterned layers of conductive materials,insulative materials and/or semiconductor materials, and can, forexample, comprise various memory devices and/or logic devices.

A passivation layer 84 is over circuitry of region 102. The passivationlayer can comprise any suitable materials, including, for example, oneor more of parylene, polyimide, photoresist, and silicon dioxide. Thestreets 42 and 44 can be seen to correspond to indentations patternedinto layer 84.

A pad of electrically conductive material 86 extends into thepassivation layer, and would typically be connected with at least someof the circuitry of region 102 with appropriate electrical interconnects(not shown). Material 86 can comprise any suitable electricallyconductive composition or combination of compositions, and in someaspects can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of aluminum orcopper. The material 86 corresponds to an inner lead bond pad at thelocation 71.

A patterned electrically insulative material 88 is over passivationlayer 84, and has an opening extending therethrough to an upper surfaceof material 86. The insulative material 88 can comprise any suitableelectrically insulative composition or combination of compositions, andwill typically comprise, consist essentially of, or consist ofpolyimide.

Electrically conductive material 90 is patterned over material 88 toform outer lead bond pads at locations 73, and to form redistributionlayers 75. Material 90 can comprise any suitable composition orcombination of compositions, and in some aspects can comprise, consistessentially of, or consist of aluminum or copper.

A patterned electrically insulative material 92 is over insulativematerial 88, and over some of the patterned conductive material 90.Insulative material 92 has openings extending therethrough to the outerlead bond pads and the inner lead bond pads. The insulative material 92can comprise any suitable composition or combination of compositions,and in some aspects can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist ofpolyimide.

Insulative materials 88 and 92 extend into the indentations of layer 84so that the pattern of streets 42 and 44 is transferred to a surfacetopography of material 92.

Referring to FIG. 3, a patterned mask 104 is formed across construction10. The mask is initially provided with an opening 106 extendingtherethrough to the inner lead bond pad at location 71. The patternedmask can correspond to, for example, photolithographically patternedphotoresist.

After the provision of the patterned mask, construction 10 is subjectedto suitable etching to extend the opening through conductive material 86of the inner lead bond pad, through passivation layer 84, and into basesemiconductor material (or semiconductor wafer) 100. Thus, the openingis extended through the front side of a die region and into the basesemiconductor material of the die contained within the die region. Theopening within base semiconductor material 100 can be considered a via106. The processing of FIG. 3 would typically be conducted relative toall of the die regions of the FIG. 1 wafer construction, and wouldtypically be conducted to form vias extending through each of the innerlead bond pads associated with each of the die regions. The etchingthrough the inner lead bond pad and passivation layer can comprise anysuitable etch or combination of etches. In some aspects, the inner leadbond pad can comprise a stack of different materials, and the etch cancomprise several different etches for penetrating the various materialsof the stack and the passivation layer.

The via 106 can be formed to any suitable depth within base material100. In typical aspects, base material 100 and region 102 will have acombined thickness 103 of about 725 microns, and via 106 will extendinto material 100 and region 102 to a depth 105 of about 150 microns.

The via 106 has a sidewall periphery 107 (also referred to as asidewall) and a bottom periphery 109 (also referred to as a bottom),both of which extend along base material 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, mask 104 (FIG. 3) is removed. An electricallyinsulative material 108 is formed within via 106, a barrier material 110is formed over insulative material 108, and an electrically conductiveliner 112 is formed over barrier material 110.

Insulative material 108 can comprise any suitable composition orcombination of compositions, and can, for example, comprise, consistessentially of, or consist of one or more of parylene,spin-on-dielectric and silicon dioxide. The material 108 can be formedinto the shown configuration by initially providing the material acrossthe substrate and within the via, and then utilizing a spacer etch topattern the material. The insulative material 108 would typically formedby chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD)and/or atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Conductive liner 112 can comprise any suitable composition orcombination of compositions, and in particular aspects can comprise,consist essentially of, or consist of copper and nickel.

Barrier material 110 is a barrier to copper diffusion, and can compriseany suitable composition or combination of compositions; and inparticular aspects can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist ofone or more of titanium, tantalum and tantalum nitride. If conductiveliner 112 comprises a material other than copper, the copper barrier 110can be omitted. Further, it may be possible in some aspects to omitinsulative material 108.

Liner 112 and barrier material 110 can be formed into the shownconfiguration with any suitable processing. In some aspects, thecomposition (or compositions) of the barrier material can besputter-deposited within the via and across the wafer; copper seedmaterial can be deposited across the barrier material within the via andacross the wafer; a plating mask (not shown) can be formed over thewafer to leave the vias exposed; copper and nickel can be plated overthe seed material within the exposed vias to form liner 112 to comprisethe seed material together with the plated copper and nickel; theplating mask can be removed; and the seed material and barrier materialexternal of the via can be removed with suitable processing.

Layers 108, 110 and 112 can be formed to various thicknesses. In someaspects, conductive layer 112 will have a thickness of greater than orequal to about 3 microns, while layers 108 and 110 will together have acombined thickness of less than 3 microns. It is to be understood,however, that any suitable thicknesses of the layers can be utilized,and that the particular thicknesses preferred for particularapplications can depend on, for example, the geometry of the via and theelectrical properties of the layers.

In the shown aspect of the invention, layer 108 does not extend to overconductive pad material 86, but layers 110 and 112 do extend to over theconductive pad material 86.

The layers 108, 110 and 112 can be considered to narrow via 106. The via106 will typically be circular or elliptical when viewed from above (inother words, will have a shape similar to the shape of the inner leadbond pad location 71 into which it extends, with the inner lead bond padlocations 71 being shown to have substantially circular or ellipticalshapes when viewed from above in the top view of FIG. 1). Thus, thelayers 108, 110 and 112 can be considered to form containers within thevia 106. The layer 112, for example, comprises a tubular segment 114along the sidewall periphery of the via, and comprises a cap 116 alongthe bottom periphery of the via; with the tubular segment and captogether defining a container shape.

Referring next to FIG. 5, under bump material 118 is formed overconductive material 90 of the outer lead bond pads at locations 73, andover the conductive material 112 across the inner lead bond pad atlocation 71. The under bump material can comprise any suitablecomposition or combination of compositions, and typically will comprisegold and/or palladium over nickel. The under bump material can be formedby, for example, electroless plating. In some aspects, sacrificialmaterial (not shown) can be provided within via 106 during formation ofunder bump material 118 to preclude the under bump material from formingwithin the via. Such sacrificial material can be subsequently removed toleave the construction of FIG. 5.

Referring next to FIG. 6, solder balls 120 are bonded to the under bumpmaterials 118 associated with the outer lead bond pads at locations 73.The solder balls 120 will typically be substantially spherical; and canhave any suitable diameters, including, for example, diameters of atleast about 200 microns, at least about 333 microns, or at least about400 microns. A solder ball is not bonded to inner lead bond pad location71 at the processing stage of FIG. 6.

Referring next to FIG. 7, trenches 122 are cut into the locations of thestreets 42 and 44. Such cutting would occur at locations of all of thestreets 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54 shown in FIG. 1. The trenches122 can be formed to be deeper than via 106 (as discussed below withreference to FIGS. 18-20), which can include, in some aspects, formingthe trenches to extend entirely through base 100; or can be formed to beless deep than via 106 as shown in FIG. 7. The trenches can be formed bymounting wafer construction 10 to a film frame and then subjecting theconstruction to a dice scribe.

Referring next to FIG. 8, low-conductivity (in other words, electricallyinsulative) material 130 is formed across the front surface of waferconstruction 10 and between solder balls 120. The material 130 extendsinto trenches 122 and via 106, and preferably uniformly fills thetrenches and via. The via 106 is narrowed by conductive liner 112 at theprocessing stage of FIG. 8, and accordingly material 130 can beconsidered to fill the narrowed via.

Material 130 can comprise any suitable material. In particular aspects,material 130 is a thermally-curable low-viscosity polymeric materialdeposited by a dam and fill process (and can, for example, utilizematerials traditionally utilized for so-called “glob top”encapsulation). FIG. 9 shows a top view of wafer construction 10 at theprocessing stage of FIG. 8. Such shows a dam 131 formed around aperiphery of the wafer construction, and shows low-viscosity material130 filling a region bounded by the dam. Dam 131 can comprise arelatively high viscosity encapsulant material, such as, for example, ahigh-viscosity Hysol™ damming encapsulant of the type available fromLoctite™, such as, FP4451™, FP4451TD™, or FP6401™. Low-viscositymaterial 130 can comprise a thermally-curable material, and inparticular aspects can comprise a HySol™ encapsulant of the typeavailable from Loctite™, such as, CB0260™, CB064™, FP4450™, FP4450HF™,FP4450LV™, FP4460™, FP4470™, or FP4652™. The fill material 130preferably has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that ofsilicon.

Fill material 30 can be a material flowed across construction 10 underfirst conditions in which the material has a low viscosity, and which isthen subjected to second conditions which cure the material. In someaspects, fill material 130 can be a thermally-curable material that isflowed across construction 10 at a first temperature at which thematerial has suitable low viscosity, and then cured at a secondtemperature to transform the material to a substantially solid mass. Theterm “substantially solid” is used to indicate that the cured materialmay be a traditional solid, or a semi-solid, such as a gel or glass. Insome aspects, the material is flowed at a first temperature, and thencured at an elevated temperature (in some aspects, the first temperaturecan be from about 70° C. to about 80° C., and the elevated temperaturecan be about 120° C.). In other aspects, the material can be flowed at afirst temperature, and then cured at a second temperature which isreduced relative to the first temperature, or which is about the same asthe first temperature. If the curing temperature is different than thetemperature at which material 30 is initially flowed across construction10, the curing can be considered to be thermal curing of the material.

As discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, there would be numerousidentical primary die regions across the wafer construction, havingnumerous inner lead bond pad locations. The processing of FIGS. 3-7would typically be conducted identically across the various primary dieregions so that numerous vias and street trenches are simultaneouslyfilled with material 130 at the processing stage of FIGS. 8 and 9. Insome aspects, the flow of the relatively low-viscosity material 130 intothe vias and street trenches can be assisted by subjecting thelow-viscosity material to one or more sequences of pressure changes. Forinstance, the low-viscosity material can be subjected to a vacuum (inother words, a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, and in somecases much less than atmospheric pressure) to pull gases from the viasand street trenches through the low-viscosity material and therebyevacuate the gases from within the vias and street trenches; andsubsequently pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure can be appliedto push the low-viscosity material into the evacuated vias and streettrenches. The process utilizing vacuum followed by overpressure can bereferred to as a “vacuum burp” process. The sequence of vacuum andoverpressure can be repeated multiple times in some aspects of theinvention.

The formation of insulative material 130 across the front side of thewafer can advantageously provide a handle which can be utilized forretaining construction 10 during subsequent manipulations of theconstruction (in other words, can act as a carrier for the wafer).

Referring next to FIG. 10, construction 10 is subjected to appropriateprocessing to form a substantially planarized surface 123 extendingacross solder balls 120 and insulative material 130. The surface isreferred to as being “substantially” planarized to indicate that thesurface is planarized to within limitations of the processing andmeasurement methodologies utilized, which can include, but is notlimited to, surfaces which are fully planar. The formation of thesubstantially planarized surface 123 can be accomplished with anysuitable method, and can, for example, be accomplished by grinding withappropriate grit (in some aspects the grit can comprise diamond).

The substantially planarized surface 123 includes planarized surfaces ofthe solder balls 120. The planarized surfaces of the solder balls can beconsidered to be conductive nodes 121, at least some of which areelectrically coupled with the outer lead bond pads. After theplanarization, material 130 extends between conductive nodes 121, butnot over the conductive nodes.

FIG. 11 shows construction 10 at a processing stage subsequent to thatof FIG. 10, and shows the construction inverted relative to the view ofFIG. 10. The construction of FIG. 11 has been thinned relative to thatof FIG. 10. Specifically, base semiconductor material 100 has beenremoved from the back side 82 of the construction to expose a segment132 of the conductive liner 112 within the via 106.

The removal of material 100 from the back side will typically beconducted in at least two steps. Initially, a first rapid and coarseremoval can be accomplished by subjecting the back side of the die togrinding. The grinding will be ceased before segment 132 is exposed toavoid inadvertent removal of segment 132 by the grinding. Typically, thegrinding will be conducted until the segment 132 is recessed beneath asurface of the back side by less than about five microns. Subsequently,additional silicon material 100 is removed from the back side with anetch selective for material 100 relative to conductive material ofsegment 132 (typically, conductive material 112). Such etch can be aplasma etch, and can utilize, for example, SF₆. The etch is shown topenetrate through insulative material 108 and barrier material 110. Itis to be understood, however, that the etch is utilized to expose aconductive segment electrically connected to the conductive linerextending through the via, and accordingly the etch may or may notpenetrate the barrier material in aspects in which the barrier iselectrically conductive.

The etch is referred to as being selective for material 100 relative toconductive materials of segment 132. Such is to be understood asindicating that the etch removes material 100 at a faster rate than theetch removes conductive material of segment 132, which can include, butis not limited to, etches which are 100% selective for material 100relative to the exposed conductive material of segment 132.

The thinning of construction 10 can remove the back side material thathad been over via 106, and thus the via can extend entirely through basematerial 100 at the processing stage of FIG. 11 (as shown).

Since the trenches 122 extending into streets 42 and 44 are less deepthan the via 106 in the shown aspect the invention, the thinning of theconstruction does not lead to exposure of the insulative material 130within such trenches.

In the shown aspect of the invention, the grinding to form planarizedsurface 123 occurs before the thinning of material 100 to exposeconductive segment 132. It is to be understood that the processing couldbe reversed in other aspects of the invention so that the thinning ofmaterial 100 occurs before the formation of planarized surface 123.

Referring next to FIG. 12, a passivation layer 134 is formed across theexposed back side surface of material 100. Passivation layer 134 cancomprise any suitable composition or combination of compositions, and inparticular aspects can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist ofone or more of parylene, polyimide, photoresist and silicon dioxide. Thepassivation layer 134 is patterned to leave segment 132 exposed withinan opening extending through the passivation layer. Such patterning canbe accomplished by, for example, photolithography, etching and/orpolishing. In some aspects, stacking arrangements can be utilized inwhich passivation layer 134 is omitted.

The liner 112 at the processing stage of FIG. 12 can be considered tocomprise a tubular segment along a sidewall periphery of the via 106,and to comprise a cap (corresponding to exposed segment 132) whichextends across the tubular segment and which is exposed along the backside of the primary die region. In some aspects, the cap can becoplanar, or approximately coplanar, with the back side surface of theprimary die region.

Referring next to FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of secondary dies 136,138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 150 are provided over the back sides ofthe primary die regions. Such forms an assembly 135 comprising thesecondary dies and construction 10.

In some aspects, the primary die regions can be tested prior toprovision of the secondary dies to ascertain which of the primary dieregions are “good”, and which are defective. The primary die regionswhich are good can be considered to be “known good die” (KGD) regions.The secondary dies can be provided to be only paired with KGD regions sothat secondary dies are not wasted by being paired with defectiveprimary die regions. Thus, FIG. 14 shows primary die region 26 having nosecondary die paired therewith, but instead being marked with an “X” toindicate that testing of the die region has identified a defect in thedie region.

The secondary dies have front sides 152, and back sides 154 in opposingrelation to the front sides. The secondary dies have secondary basesemiconductor material 156 which can comprise the same composition asthe primary base semiconductor material 100; and accordingly cancomprise, consist essentially of, or consist of silicon (and in specificaspects can be monocrystalline silicon). The secondary dies have frontside regions 158 containing integrated circuitry. Also, the secondarydies have inner lead bond pads 160 and outer lead bond pads 162analogous to the inner lead bond pads at locations 71 and outer leadbond pads at locations 73 discussed above for the primary dies. Finally,the secondary dies are shown to comprise insulative materials andconductive materials across the front sides analogous to the variousmaterials discussed above with reference to FIG. 2 for the primary dies.

An electrical interconnect 164 is formed to extend from the inner leadbond pad 160 of the secondary die 144 to the conductive segment 132 ofthe primary die region 20. Similar interconnects will be formed betweenthe other secondary dies and the known good primary dies with which thesecondary dies are paired. The shown interconnect 164 is a solder ball.Although solder ball 164 is shown to be about the same size as thesolder balls 120 that had been connected to the front side of theprimary die regions, the solder ball 164 can alternatively be smallerthan the solder balls 120—and such can be more typical than having thesolder ball 164 being about the same size as the solder balls 120. Thesolder ball 164 will typically be substantially spherical and will havea diameter of less than or equal to about 100 microns. For instance, thesolder ball 164 can have a diameter of about 80 microns; but it is to beunderstood that specific preferred diameters of the solder balls candepend on, among other things, the pitch of the inner lead bonds. Thesolder ball 164 can be referred to as a second solder ball todistinguish it from the first solder balls 120 previously discussed.

In some aspects, the front sides of the primary die regions can beconsidered first front sides, and the front sides of the secondary diescan be considered second front sides. Circuitry within the regions 158associated with the second front sides is electrically connected withcircuitry within the region 102 associated with the first front sidesthrough solder ball 164 and the electrically conductive liner 112 withinvia 106.

In aspects in which electrical interconnects 164 comprise solder balls,the solder balls can be initially bonded to either the primary die orthe secondary die, and then subsequently bonded to the other of theprimary die and the secondary die.

Although not shown, it is to be understood that the secondary die canhave under bump conductive material similar to the material 118associated with the primary die.

Referring next to FIG. 15, insulative material 170 is flowed to fillspaces between the back sides of the primary die regions and the frontsides of the secondary dies, as well is to fill spaces between thesecondary dies. The insulative material 170 can be a thermally-curablematerial identical to the material 130 (discussed above) in someaspects; or can be different from the material 130 in other aspects.

The secondary die can be considered to have sidewall surfaces 141, backside surfaces 143 and front side surfaces 145; and the insulativematerial is shown to be flowed (or in some aspects deposited) along allof such surfaces.

Referring next to FIG. 16, assembly 135 is shown inverted relative tothe view of FIG. 15. Insulative material 170 has been planarized acrossthe back side surfaces 143 of the secondary dies to form a planarizedsurface 171. Also, solder balls 172 have been bonded to thesubstantially planarized conductive nodes 121. Such bonding can beaccomplished by, for example, placing tacky flux on the substantiallyplanarized conductive node surfaces, placing solder balls 172 on thetacky flux, and then thermally treating the solder balls 172 and thesubstantially planarized solder surfaces 121 to bond the solder balls172 to the surfaces 121. The solders balls can also be provided with aprocess utilizing thermal compression, solder tack, and then reflow.

Solder balls 172 can be utilized for electrically connecting packages(in other words, assemblies) formed in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention to circuitry external of the packages. In someaspects, balls 172 can be omitted, and surfaces 121 can be directlyutilized for the electrical connection to the circuitry external of thepackages.

Referring next to FIG. 17, construction 10 is singulated by cuttingalong the streets to form a semiconductor assembly or package comprisingthe primary die 20 paired with the secondary die 144 (note, the primarydie region 20 of the wafer has become a primary die 20 throughsingulation of the die from the wafer). Since the trenches 122 (FIG. 16)did not extend entirely through the base semiconductor material 100 ofthe primary die, the singulated assembly comprises sections 190 alongsidewall edges of primary die 100 that are not covered by eitherinsulative material 135 or insulative material 170, and which are thusexposed. Additional insulative material can be deposited to encapsulatesuch exposed sidewall edges if desired.

In the aspects of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-17, singulatedsecondary dies are stacked over primary dies that are not yet singulated(in other words, that are still part of a wafer). It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention can also include aspects inwhich the primary dies are singulated prior to forming the stackedassemblies of the primary and secondary dies; and can include aspects inwhich a secondary wafer is provided over a primary wafer to form anassembly from which primary die/secondary die packages are subsequentlysingulated.

In some aspects, the construction of FIG. 17 can be considered tocontain a primary semiconductor die 20 having a front side withcircuitry 102 associated therewith, having a back side in opposingrelation to the front side, having an outer periphery, and having atleast one via 106 therein extending from the front side to the backside. The construction can further be considered to contain anelectrically insulative material within the via and also around at leasta portion of the outer periphery (in aspects in which materials 130 and170 are the same composition as one another). The construction of FIG.17 can be further considered to comprise circuitry outward of the backside of the primary die (the circuitry associated with regions 158 ofthe secondary die), and a conductive liner 112 within the via andelectrically interconnecting the circuitry outward of the back side ofthe primary die with at least some of the circuitry associated with thefront side of the secondary die.

In some aspects, the construction of FIG. 17 can be considered tocontain a primary semiconductor die 20 having a front side withcircuitry 102 associated therewith, having a back side in opposingrelation to the front side, and having one or more vias 106 therein andextending from the front side to the back side. The construction furthercontains one or more conductive liners 112 within the one or more viasalong the peripheries; insulative material 130 over the one or moreconductive liners and within the one or more vias; and one or moreelectrical connections which extend from outward of the die back side,through at least one of the conductive liners, and to at least some ofthe circuitry associated with the front side.

The method of FIGS. 1-17 can, in some aspects, be considered to compriseproviding a primary semiconductor die 20 having a front side withcircuitry associated therewith, having a back side in opposing relationto the front side, and having an outer periphery. The method can beconsidered to further comprise forming at least one via 106 extendingthrough the die from the front side to the back side. Additionally, themethod can be considered to comprise forming an electrically insulativematerial 130/170 within the via and also around at least a portion ofthe outer periphery. In the shown aspect, the electrically insulativematerial 130 completely fills the via, or, in other words, blocks thevia. The conductive liner 112 is shown formed within the via prior toforming the electrically insulative material within the via. Theconductive liner can be considered to narrow the via, and theelectrically insulative material can be considered to fill the narrowedvia.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate an aspect of the invention in which trenches 122are formed to extend deeper than via 106, and in which the exposedsidewall edges 190 of FIG. 17 are thus eliminated.

FIG. 18 shows construction 10 at a processing stage analogous to that ofFIG. 7, but shows trenches 122 extending deeper than via 106.

FIG. 19 shows construction 10 at a processing stage subsequent to thatof FIG. 18, and analogous to that discussed above with reference to FIG.11. However, in contrast to FIG. 11, the trenches 122 extend entirelythrough base material 100 at the processing stage of FIG. 19 due to suchtrenches having been initially formed to be deeper than via 106.

FIG. 20 shows a singulated assembly analogous to that of FIG. 17, butformed utilizing the construction of FIG. 19. Since the trenches 122extended entirely through base material 100, the insulative material 130completely covers the sidewall edges of base semiconductor material 100of the primary die of FIG. 20. In some aspects, the assembly of FIG. 20can be considered to be a “6x” assembly in that all six surfaces of therectangular-shaped dies are completely encapsulated with insulativematerials 130 and 170.

In some applications of the aspect of the invention of FIGS. 18-20, thedicing of the first wafer to singulate the primary dies can be entirelycompleted before the encapsulation of the secondary dies.

The methodologies discussed above formed semiconductor packages having apair of dies. It is to be understood that methodology of the presentinvention can also be utilized to form packages having more than twodies. Such can be accomplished by stacking of multiple dies havingthrough wafer interconnects. The dies can be stacked after at least somehave been singulated from semiconductor wafers; or prior to anysingulation of the dies.

FIG. 21 shows an assembly 200 comprising three semiconductor dies 202,204 and 206. The dies 202, 204 and 206 can be considered to be a primarydie, secondary die and tertiary die, respectively.

The primary die 202 is analogous to the primary dies discussed above andcomprises a front side 201, and back side 203. Integrated circuitry (notshown) will typically be proximate the front side. Planarized solderballs 120 are shown at outer lead bond locations of the primary die, andsolder balls 172 are shown bonded to the solder balls 120. The primarydie 202 has a via 106 extending therethrough, and a conductive linerwithin the via.

The secondary die 204 comprises a front side 205 and back side 207.Integrated circuitry (not shown) will typically be proximate the frontside. A via 210, analogous to the via 106, extends through the secondarydie, and such is lined with a conductive liner. The via 210 can bereferred as a second via to distinguish it from the first via 106 withinthe primary die, and the liner within the second via can be referred toas a second liner to distinguish it from the first liner within thefirst via.

A solder ball 214 electrically connects the second liner with the firstliner, and thus electrically couples circuitry associated with secondarydie 204 to circuitry associated with primary die 202.

The tertiary die 206 comprises a front side 209 and a back side 211. Thefront side has an inner lead bond pad location which is electricallyconnected through a solder ball 220 to the second conductive liner.Thus, circuitry associated with the tertiary die 206 is electricallycoupled to circuitry associated with the secondary die 204 through thesecond conductive liner.

Insulative material 230 encapsulates the assembly 200, and extendsaround the primary die 202, secondary die 204 and tertiary die 206. Thematerial 230 also fills the lined vias 106 and 210. Material 230 can beidentical to the material 130 discussed above.

Although not shown, it is to be understood that the secondary andtertiary die can have under bump conductive material similar to thematerial 118 associated with the primary die.

FIG. 22 shows another assembly, 300, comprising three semiconductor dies302, 304 and 306. The dies 302, 304 and 306 can be considered to be aprimary die, secondary die and tertiary die, respectively.

The primary die 302 is analogous to the primary dies discussed above andcomprises a front side 301, and back side 303. Integrated circuitry (notshown) will typically be proximate the front side. Planarized solderballs 120 are shown at outer lead bond locations of the primary die, andsolder balls 172 are shown bonded to the solder balls 120. The primarydie 302 has a via 106 extending therethrough, and a conductive linerwithin the via. In the shown aspect, the conductive liner iselectrically connected with an interconnect 311 extending along thebackside of die 302.

The secondary die 304 comprises a front side 305 and back side 307.Integrated circuitry (not shown) will typically be proximate the frontside. A via 310, analogous to the via 106, extends through the secondarydie, and such is lined with a conductive liner. The via 310 can bereferred as a second via to distinguish it from the first via 106 withinthe primary die, and the liner within the second via can be referred toas a second liner to distinguish it from the first liner within thefirst via. The conductive liner within via 310 is electrically connectedwith a conductive interconnect 315.

A solder ball 314 electrically connects the second liner with the firstliner, and thus electrically couples circuitry associated with secondarydie 304 to circuitry associated with primary die 302. The solder ball314 is laterally offset form the vias 106 and 310, and is electricallyconnected to interconnects 311 and 315.

The tertiary die 306 comprises a front side 309 and a back side 317.Integrated circuitry (not shown) will typically be proximate the frontside. A via 350, analogous to the via 106, extends through the tertiarydie, and such is lined with a conductive liner. The via 350 can bereferred as a third via, and the liner within the third via can bereferred to as a third liner. The conductive liner within via 350 iselectrically connected with a conductive interconnect 351 extendingalong a front side of the tertiary die 306, and is electricallyconnected with an interconnect 353 extending along the backside oftertiary die 306.

The circuitry associated with the tertiary die 306 is electricallycoupled to circuitry associated with the secondary die 304 through asolder ball 320, which is shown to be laterally offset from vias 310 and350.

Although not shown, it is to be understood that the secondary andtertiary die can have under bump conductive material similar to thematerial 118 associated with the primary die.

Encapsulant (not shown) can be provided around assembly 300 using anysuitable processing, including, for example, the vacuum burp processdiscussed above.

Although the aspects shown and described above have the vias provided inlead bonds that are centrally located on a die relative to other leadbond pads, it is to be understood that the vias can additionally, oralternatively, be provided in lead bonds that are peripherally located.In some aspects, such can correspond to applications in which bond padsanalogous to “inner lead bond pads” are actually peripherally outward ofbond pads analogous to “outer lead bond pads”.

Semiconductor assemblies formed in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention can be utilized in numerous applications. Forinstance, the assemblies can be incorporated into various electronicsystems, such as, for example, computer systems, phones, cars,airplanes, camcorders, cameras, medical devices, etc. The assemblies canprovide various circuit functions within such systems, including memoryand/or processing functions. FIGS. 23-27 illustrate exemplary electronicsystems comprising semiconductor packages 500 formed in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention (for instance, the packages cancorrespond to any of the assemblies of FIGS. 17 and 20-22). The packagesare configured to interact with circuitry present in the electronicsystems, and to perform desired functions relative to such circuitry,such as, for example, memory and/or processing.

Referring to FIG. 23, a computer system 524 includes one or more of thepackages 500, which can be mounted to the computer system 524 in asuitable manner. The packages 500 can be configured to perform a desiredfunction in the computer system 524 such as memory (specifically, shortterm memory, such as random access memory), storage (specifically, longterm memory) or micro processing.

Referring to FIG. 24, a digital camcorder system 526 includes one ormore packages 500, which can be mounted in a suitable manner, andconfigured to perform one or more desired circuit functions in thecamcorder system 526.

Referring to FIG. 25, a camera system 528 includes one or more packages500, which can be mounted in a suitable manner, and configured toperform one or more desired circuit functions in the camera system 528.

Referring to FIG. 26, a cellular phone system 530 includes one or morepackages 500, which can be mounted in a suitable manner, and configuredto perform one or more desired circuit functions in the cellular phonesystem 530.

Referring to FIG. 27, a medical device system 532 includes one or morepackages 500, which can be mounted in a suitable manner, and configuredto perform one or more desired circuit functions in the medical devicesystem 532.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural and methodical features.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown and described, since the means hereindisclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. A semiconductor assembly, comprising: a first semiconductor die having a first front side with circuitry associated therewith, having a first back side in opposing relation to the first front side, and having a via therein which extends from the first front side to the first back side; the via having sidewalls within the first semiconductor die; an electrically insulative liner within the via; the electrically insulative liner being along the sidewalls of the via, and being directly against the first semiconductor die; the electrically insulative liner not extending across the via; a first electrically conductive layer within the via and directly against the electrically insulative liner; the first electrically conductive layer comprising one or more of titanium, tantalum and tantalum nitride; the first electrically conductive layer extending along the sidewalls of the via, and not extending across the via; a second electrically conductive layer within the via and directly against the first electrically conductive layer; the second electrically conductive layer comprising copper; the second electrically conductive layer extending along the sidewalls of the via, and extending across the via; the electrically insulative liner, first electrically conductive layer, and second electrically conductive layer together narrowing the via; electrically insulative material along the second conductive layer within the via, the electrically insulative material completely filling the narrowed via; a second semiconductor die having a second front side with circuitry associated therewith; and an electrical connection from at least some of the circuitry associated with the second front side, through the second electrically conductive layer, and to at least some of the circuitry associated with the first front side; the electrical connection including a solder ball that directly contacts the second electrically conductive layer, and that does not directly contact the first electrically conductive layer.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the second electrically conducive layer is shaped as a structure comprising a tubular segment along the sidewalls of the via, and comprising a cap across the tubular segment.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the via in the first die is a first via; wherein the electrically insulative material is a first electrically insulative material; wherein the second die has a second back side in opposing relation to the second front side; and further comprising: one or more second vias within the second die and extending from the second front side to the second back side; the one or more second vias having sidewalls within the second die; one or more electrically conductive liners within the one or more second vias along the sidewalls of the one or more second vias to narrow the one or more second vias; second electrically insulative material within the one or more narrowed second vias, and filling the one or more narrowed second vias; a third semiconductor die having a third front side with circuitry associated therewith; and an electrical connection from at least some of the circuitry associated with the third front side, through at least one of the electrically conductive liners, and to at least some of the circuitry associated with the second front side.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the solder ball is a first solder ball; wherein the third die is over the second die; further comprising a second solder ball extending from the third front side to one second conductive liner; and wherein the electrical connection from at least some of the circuitry associated with the third front side to at least some of the circuitry associated with the second front side extends through the second solder ball and through said at least one of the electrically conductive liners.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said via is one of a plurality of vias having the electrically insulative liner, first electrically conductive layer, second electrically conductive layer, and electrically insulative material therein. 